Automatic sizing selector

ABSTRACT

An automatic sizing selector comprising a sloping series of size selector plates, means to automatically rotate said plates between a sizing position and an unloading position and collector means for segregating sized units according to desired size.

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ABSTRACT: An automatic sizing selector comprising a sloping series ofsize selector plates, means to automatically rotate said plates betweena sizing position and an unloading position and collector means forsegregating sized units according to desired size.

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INVENTOR WALTER. H. LEI/NEE mmw ATTORNEYS H AUTOMATIC SIZING SELECTORBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an automaticsizing selector and, more particularly, to a device for automaticallygauging and sorting eyelets-used in the manufacture of all-glassmultiple glazed window units.

Eyelets which are to be gauged and sorted, within the contemplation ofthis invention, include frustoconical shaped elements having theirconical surface coated with a low melting point glass frit and acylindrical opening in the center thereof so that the axis of thecylinder coincides with the axis of the frustum shaped element. Theconstruction and use of these elements is fully disclosed in U.S. Pat.No. 2,984,294, issued July 14, 1959 to F. R. Prescott. The foregoingpatent is assigned to the assignee of the present invention and thedisclosure thereof is incorporated herein by reference.

In the past, eyelets of the type disclosed in the above-mentioned patentwere manually sized and sorted individually, in accordance withpredetermined ranges or acceptable tolerance deviations in their outsidediameters. This was a tedious, timeand labor-consuming operation whichwas obviously subject to human error. Accordingly, the present inventionis directed toward providing an automatic sizing selector for sucheyelets to eliminate the foregoing deficiencies of the prior-arttechnique. Also, this invention is directed toward providing a suitabledevice for sizing or gauging and sorting eyelets which is simple inoperation and construction, requires little or no maintenance and isinexpensive to fabricate, install and use.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of this inventionwill become more apparent from the description that follows, when takenin conjunction with the drawings, in which:

FIG. l is a right side view of a device constructed in accordance withthis invention and in which the size selector plates are shown in anopen position;

FIG. 2 is a plan view, taken along the line A-A of FIG. 1, showing thesize selector plates in a closed position; and

HQ. 3 is a plan view, also taken along the line A-A of FIG. ll, showingthe size selector plates in an open position.

As illustrated in the drawings, the automatic sizing selector MD of thisinvention comprises a sloping series or succession of size selectorplates H2. Size selector plates 12, as shown, are rotatably mounted bymeans of their horizontally disposed axles or spindle rods 16 beingsuitably journaled in spaced, vertically arranged plates l8 and 20.Spindle rods 16 extend through plate 20 and have pinion gears 22 affixedto their extended free ends. Supported by vertical plate 20 is asuitable guideway 24, such as a U-channel member, which carries andguides a rack member 26 that operatively engages gears 22 for thepurpose of simultaneously rotating all of the size selector plates 12.Moreover, rack 26 is connected to a device, such as fluid cylinder 28,which is actuated in desired timed sequence by any suitable means, e.g.,a solenoid-operated valve energized through a timer or a microswitchactuated by movement of an eyelet coating machine, to reciprocate rack26 and rotate gears 22, thereby rotating size selector plates 12 to adesired open and closed position.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, in their closed position, size selector platesR2 are brought into coplanar, edge-abutting relation so that their uppersurfaces form an essentially continuous, downward sloping planarsurface. On the other hand, as illustrated in FIG. 3, in their openposition, size selector plates are rotated to a position where thetrailing edge 30 of each plate is elevated above the horizontal, e.g.,preferably to an angular position of about 30 to 45 above a horizontalplane through each of their respective axes of rotation.

Disposed beneath or subjacent the above-described size selector plateassembly, there is depicted in FIG. I a sorting container 32 which isalso shown as being preferably attached or made integral with the sizeselector plate assembly. Sorting container 32 is essentially arectangular enclosure, one side l4 of which is preferably composed oftransparent material for viewing the contents thereof. Container 32 issubdivided into compartments or bins 34 by a series of parallel walls 36extending between plates 18 and 20 and suitably spaced laterally of eachother to provide a bin subjacent the leading edges 38 of at least eachof the size selector plates 12 as they are rotated from a closedposition to an open position. In the embodiment shown, one additionalbin 34 is provided forward of the bottom or last size selector plate 12and, as will be better understood by that which follows, this bincollects eyelets of the smallest outside diameter. For the purpose offacilitating removal of eyelets from bins 34, as desired, container 32is provided with slide plates 40 covering an opening in the bottom ofeach bin 34. As will be understood, sliding the plates 40 with respectto their supporting angle flanges 42 will permit the eyelets to dropfrom bins 34.

As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, size selector plates 12 have affixed onthe upper surface thereof a plurality of gauge rods or bars 44. In theembodiment shown, each plate 12 is provided with three such gauge rods,with one being located centrally of the plate and extending from theleading to the trailing edge thereof and the other two rods similarlyextending from the leading to the trailing edge in spaced convergingrelation toward the center rod. Each of the gauge rods are preferablyrounded along their opposed side edges. Also, the spacing between eachconverging rod and the center rod at the trailing edge of plate 12 isidentical as regards any given plate but diminishes or is slightly lessfor each successive plate in a direction from top to bottom or downwardalong the sloping succession of size selector plates. In addition, asshown, affixed with respect to each plate l2 and overlying the gaugerods 44 is a holddown plate 46 which preferably is coextensive withabout the lower or trailing two-thirds of each plate 12.

Also, as best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the trailing edge of each plate 12has a notch between the center gauge rod and each of the converginggauge rods. Notches 48 on both sides of the center gauge rod are alignedwith regard to each successive plate. Affixed to the front of the sizeselector assembly and extending parallel to the size selector plates intheir closed position are a pair of spaced, parallel bars or blades 50,each of which is in vertical alignment with one of the series of notches48 disposed on either side of the center gauge rods. The spacing ofblades 50 from plates 12 is such that, as plates 12 are simultaneouslyrotated into their open position, each plate is intercepted by one ofthe blades 50 seating in each of an aligned series of notches 48.

Turning now to the mode of operation of the abovedescribed device, apair of eyelets are released simultaneously from a machine (not shown)which prepares the eyelets for use by applying a frit coating to theirconical surfaces. The eyelets are then gravity fed, largest diameterdown and along separate paths, down a tubular, rectangular chute 52,wherein the separate paths are defined between sidewalls 54 and 56 and acenter partition wall 58. As shown, center partition wall 58 is inalignment with center gauge rods 44. Thus, as the eyelets exit fromchute 52, each eyelet is laterally confined in its respective separatepath between the center gauge rod of the top plate and one of theconverging gauge rods thereof. After each eyelet passes along its path ashort distance, it is also vertically confined between holddown plate 46and size' selector plate 12 to prevent the eyelet from inverting and/ortipping out of its desired confined path of travel. The top or uppermostopening between the center gauge rod and each of the converging gaugerods on each size selector plate 12 is wide enough to catch and guidethe piece to the bottom or lowermost opening therebetween, which hasbeen narrowed to the desired size to allow only the eyelet units to passthat are desired to go to the next smaller size.

Starting at the top plate, the throats or openings between the centergauge rod and each of the converging gauge rods are set to hold thelargest eyelet unit desired, and each of the pairs of gauge rods on eachsize selector plate down in succession is set to hold the next largestunit desired. Any eyelet unit that passes all of the throats or gaugeopenings is immediately deposited in the 'collector bin 34 that islocated forward of the bottom or last size selector plate 12. Asindicated, the gauge rods are preferably of a rounded shape along atleast their opposed surfaces to allow a tapered eyelet unit, disposedwith its largest diameter against a size selector plate 12, to snugpartly under the bottom spread of the rods, thereby holding the unit tobe sized down against the metal plate 12 and forcing each unit to beindexed at the same level while allowing only point contact of therounded rods at the throat between the gauge rods. Moreover, by varyingthe size of the rods and/or the radius used, the units can be gauged orsized at any elevation along the side of the unit that is desired.

After each of an initial pair of eyelets is sized as aforesaid, all ofthe size selector plates 12 are simultaneously rotated, in a clockwisedirection as seen in FIG. 1, until notches or grooves 48 fork overblades 50. Blades 50 will force any unit out that might want to stick inthe sizing gates or throats, thus positively causing the selector to beemptied and ready to receive the next unit to be sized with all stationsavailable for each operation. As will be understood, the sized units aredeposited in their respective collector bins 34 after tipping off therotated leading edge of one of the size selector plates 12, andimmediately thereafter the size selector plates are automaticallyreturned to their closed position in preparation for sizing and sortingthe next pair of units.

While a preferred embodiment of this invention has been illustrated anddescribed, it will be understood that various changes and modificationsmay be made within the scope of the appended claims without departingfrom the spirit of the invention.

1 claim:

1. An automatic sizing selector comprising a sloping series of sizeselector plates mounted to rotate about horizontal axes from a closed,edge-abutting position to an open, parallelspaced position, gauge meansafiixed relative to the upper surface of said plates and mounted torotate therewith, means to automatically and simultaneously rotate saidplates in timed sequence between said positions and collector means forreceiving and retaining units sized by said size selector platesaccording to selected desired sizes.

2. An automatic sizing selector according to claim 1 wherein each sizeselector plate has affixed to the upper surface thereof at least a pairof spaced, converging gauge rods which extend froma leading edge to atrailing edge of said plate.

3. An automatic sizing selector according to claim 1 wherein each sizeselector plate has affixed to the upper surface thereof at least threegauge rods, with one gauge rod being located centrally of the plate andextending from a leading to a trailing edge thereof and the other twogauge rods similarly extending from said leading to said trailing edgein spaced, converging relation toward said center gauge rod.

4. An automatic sizing selector according to claim 3 wherein said gaugerods are rounded along their opposed side edges.

5. An automatic sizing selector according to claim 4 wherein each sizeselector plate has a holddown plate affixed relative thereto, inoverlying relation with respect to said gauge rods and spaced parallelrelation with respect to said selector plate.

6. An automatic sizing selector according to claim 3 wherein each sizeselector plate has its trailing edge notched between each adjacent pairof gauge rods to provide two aligned series of notches and a pair ofspaced, parallel blades are afiixed to said sizing selector and spacedfrom each said size selector plate so that, as the size selector platesare simultaneously rotated to said open position, each plate isintercepted by one of said blades seating in each of an aligned seriesof said notches.

7. An automatic sizing selector according to claim, 6 wherein each sizeselector plate is simultaneously rotated between said closed and saidopen position b means ofa rack operatively associated with a gearaffixed 0 each said size selector plate.

8. An automatic sizing selector according to claim 7 wherein said rackhas connected thereto said means to actuate said rack in timed sequence.

9. An automatic sizing selector according to claim 3 wherein the spacingbetween each said converging gauge rod and said center gauge rod isidentical as regards each size selector plate and said spacingdiminishes for each successive size selector plate in a directiondownward along said sloping series of size selector plates.

10. An automatic sizing selector according to claim 9 wherein said gaugerods are rounded along their opposed side edges.

1. An automatic sizing selector comprising a sloping series of sizeselector plates mounted to rotate about horizontal axes from a closed,edge-abutting position to an open, parallel-spaced position, gauge meansaffixed relative to the upper surface of said plates and mounted torotate therewith, means to automatically and simultaneously rotate saidplates in timed sequence between said positions and collector means forreceiving and retaining units sized by said size selector platesaccording to selected desired sizes.
 2. An automatic sizing selectoraccording to claim 1 wherein each size selector plate has affixed to theupper surface thereof at least a pair of spaced, converging gauge rodswhich extend from a leading edge to a trailing edge of said plate.
 3. Anautomatic sizing selector according to claim 1 wherein each sizeselector plate has affixed to the upper surface thereof at least threegauge rods, with one gauge rod being located Centrally of the plate andextending from a leading to a trailing edge thereof and the other twogauge rods similarly extending from said leading to said trailing edgein spaced, converging relation toward said center gauge rod.
 4. Anautomatic sizing selector according to claim 3 wherein said gauge rodsare rounded along their opposed side edges.
 5. An automatic sizingselector according to claim 4 wherein each size selector plate has aholddown plate affixed relative thereto, in overlying relation withrespect to said gauge rods and spaced parallel relation with respect tosaid selector plate.
 6. An automatic sizing selector according to claim3 wherein each size selector plate has its trailing edge notched betweeneach adjacent pair of gauge rods to provide two aligned series ofnotches and a pair of spaced, parallel blades are affixed to said sizingselector and spaced from each said size selector plate so that, as thesize selector plates are simultaneously rotated to said open position,each plate is intercepted by one of said blades seating in each of analigned series of said notches.
 7. An automatic sizing selectoraccording to claim 6 wherein each size selector plate is simultaneouslyrotated between said closed and said open position by means of a rackoperatively associated with a gear affixed to each said size selectorplate.
 8. An automatic sizing selector according to claim 7 wherein saidrack has connected thereto said means to actuate said rack in timedsequence.
 9. An automatic sizing selector according to claim 3 whereinthe spacing between each said converging gauge rod and said center gaugerod is identical as regards each size selector plate and said spacingdiminishes for each successive size selector plate in a directiondownward along said sloping series of size selector plates.
 10. Anautomatic sizing selector according to claim 9 wherein said gauge rodsare rounded along their opposed side edges.